Gallup survey in Armenia finds that over 88 % of respondents do not support new mandatory pension scheme

YEREVAN, March 25. / ARKA /. A Gallup International Association’s public opinion survey in Armenia has found that over 88 % of respondents in Yerevan do not support a new mandatory pension scheme that took effect on January 1.

The findings of the survey were unveiled today by the head of Gallup International Association office in Armenia Gayane Dajunts.

The survey conducted from February 13-28 involved 1,066 adult residents of the Armenian capital. She said some 87 percent of respondents who spoke against the new pension scheme were people aged 18-40.

Incidentally, 88.8 percent of respondents who did not support the reform were jobless, she said.

Gayane Dajunts said 34.3 % of respondents did not support the reform, because they had no guarantees that they would get back their savings when they retire; 32.9 % did not trust the government, 27.3 % thought a 5 % contribution was large enough, 18.8 % said they did not trust pension funds selected by the government to manage their savings, 18.4 % were against the mandatory scheme and 17.6 % had no trust in the pension system.

The survey found that 82.8 % of respondents were aware that the controversial law was challenged by parliamentary minority at the Constitutional Court which will rule on the matter on March 28.

Some 59.0 % of respondents believed that the Court would rule in favor of preserving the pension scheme, 20.1 % said the Court would suspend its enforcement. Some 85.7 % of respondents who were against the new pension law said they participated in protest actions.

Dajunts said the findings of the survey may be sent to the government and the Constitutional Court. -0-